Falcons can bounce back with a revamped O-line

The NFL combine starts Feb. 20. Every team will be looking to fill multiple holes on both sides of the ball.

Falcons LT Sam Baker only played in four games last year, and Atlanta was never able to stabilize its offense line. (Brad Mills – USA TODAY Sports)

The Atlanta Falcons were a Super Bowl contender in 2012. The franchise fell to 4-12 a year later. Injuries and poor offensive line play hindered a talented roster. The organization owns the No. 6 overall pick to add to an already talented roster, while mending stars like Julio Jones, Roddy White and Sam Baker will be back on the field this fall. The Falcons will start their short-term rebuild by fixing its offensive line.

Here are the Falcons’ top areas of need as they prepare for the draft:

1. Offensive tackle

The Falcons tied for 20th in the NFL in sacks allowed last season, yielding 44. Young right tackle Lamar Holmes was forced into a tough spot and he struggled in his 15 starts. Another area of concern was another youngster, right guard Peter Konz, who also made 15 starts. Although both players can improve, the Falcons need to make securing a talented lineman in the early rounds of the draft a priority, potentially even with their first-round pick. Quarterback Matt Ryan regressed last season, in part because he was constantly pressured.

Possible picks (By Brent Sobleski)

Greg Robinson (Auburn): The Falcons could have their choice of Robinson or Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews. Left tackle Sam Baker is signed through 2018. Between the two prospects, Robinson is the superior run-blocker which makes him a better fit on the strong-side.

Antonio Richardson (Tennessee): If the Falcons decided to go in another direction in the first round, the team can wait until the second to address right tackle. “Tiny” Richardson was a collegiate left tackle, but he has the size and athleticism which translates well to right tackle.

2. Tight end

This time, Tony Gonzalez says he’s really retiring. If he stays true to his word, Atlanta needs to spend a pick on a pass-catching tight end to help fill the void. You can’t replace Gonzalez, of course, but the franchise should be fine as long as the player Atlanta brings in can be a consistent threat in the red zone. Backup Chase Coffman is a free agent, so the Falcons will almost certainly add talent through the draft.

Possible picks

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington): No tight end is currently viewed as a Top 10 prospect. The Falcons could wait until the second round to address the position with Seferian-Jenkins or Notre Dame’s Troy Niklas.

Arthur Lynch (Georgia): Lynch isn’t considered an early round prospect, but he’s a good athlete. Lynch averaged 15.3 yards per catch last season. He would provide an excellent compliment to the Falcons’ bigger tight end, Levine Toilolo.

3. Linebacker

Paul Worrilow was second among rookies with 127 total tackles despite entering the season as a backup linebacker. (Matt Kartozian – USA TODAY Sports)

With the exception of Paul Worrilow, the rookie out of Delaware, Atlanta’s linebackers struggled in 2013. Worrilow led the Falcons in tackles with 127 and will continue to develop. Sean Weatherspoon dealt with injuries in 2013 and should bounce back. He’s a consistent player, but Atlanta needs more out of its linebackers, and addressing the need through the draft will increase competition among the players currently on the roster.

Possible picks

Khalil Mack (Buffalo): The Falcons could address two issues by selecting Mack in the first round. The team would add a starting strong-side linebacker while improving its pass rush. Mack finished last season with 10.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

4. Defensive end

When an aging Osi Umenyiora is the most productive defensive end, it’s a clear sign that the unit needs an upgrade. The 32-year-old Umenyiora has one more year on his deal, which will most likely be his last with the team. The Falcons could look for a defensive end who could be an eventual leader while spending one year as a reserve. Umenyiora’s bookend, Jonathan Massaquoi, had four sacks in his second year and could continue to develop. The Falcons, however, still need to look to the future.

Possible picks

Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina): Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has a history of trading up for a player the organziation covets. The Rams are a possible trade partner with the No. 2 overall pick. If Clowney is available, the Falcons have to at least consider the option.

Trent Murphy (Stanford): Murphy, a collegiate 3-4 outside linebacker, is expected to convert to defensive end and did so during Senior Bowl week. Murphy, a second round target, led the Cardinal with 15 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.

5. Wide receiver

Given how steady Julio Jones and Roddy White have been, you don’t usually think about the Falcons needing help at receiver. But they do. Jones sustained a season-ending injury last year but should be back in time for camp. White, however, was hobbled all season with various injuries. Even when he returned, he was largely ineffective. White is 32 and has lost a step. Harry Douglas was solid as the team’s top target down the stretch, but the Falcons could still add depth in case injuries linger.

Possible picks

Josh Huff (Oregon): Huff was the best wide receiver on the field for the the Falcons’ North Squad during Senior Bowl week. He has the explosiveness to play outside or in the slot. The Falcons can add solid depth with a mid- to late-round selection.

Cody Hoffman (BYU): If the Falcons are searching for a bigger target in the latter rounds, Hoffman has the size (6-3, 218) to be a legitimate red-zone target.